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OPINION

Thanks to entrepreneurs who take a chance on neighbors

News-Leader Editorial Board
Published 11:25 p.m. CT Feb. 28, 2018

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Texas Roadhouse manager, a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was a football teammate of hero coach Aaron Feis, who died in the mass shooting.
Wes Johnson/News-Leader

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Chad Dunivent gives a haircut to Scott Roussel at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield.
(Photo: Nathan Papes/News-Leader)Buy Photo

Two businesses, CJ’s Lunch Box and Broadway Barber Co., recently opened in neighborhoods not known for economic expansion.

They sit, respectively, in the West Central and Woodland Heights neighborhoods, both of which were identified as struggling areas during the city of Springfield’s Zone Blitz program, which sought to bring improvements to the northwest part of the city.

In the case of Broadway Barber Co., the mother of the owner, Chad Dunivent, told him to avoid the north side. She certainly wouldn’t have been the only person to give that advice.

And that adage about location being the key to success has a lot to do with getting in front of people who have money to spend. Perhaps no other neighborhood in Springfield defies that logic more than West Central — and that’s exactly why the Jean family chose it as the spot for CJ's Lunch Box.

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CJ's Lunch Box co-owner Charley Jean heats up a flour tortilla on Feb. 15, 2018 for one of his $1 tacos.(Photo: Greg Holman/News-Leader)

“A lot of 'em are on foot,” co-owner Charley Jean told a News-Leader reporter. “This area’s got a lot of homeless folks and people in need.”

We appreciate people taking a chance on these neighborhoods with their business ventures. It’s clear from their statements that they don’t care just about making a buck, but helping their neighbors.

Springfield leaders, and residents in general, obviously want to attract companies that create jobs and to write policies that help existing big businesses grow, but they would also acknowledge how important our collection of small businesses is.

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The CJ's Lunch Box trailer was parked near the CJ's discount grocery and retail shop on Feb. 15, 2018. Sometimes CJ's owners take it on the road to cater events for groups like Bryan Properties and Ozarks Technical Community College. Greg Holman/News-Leader

Even if you’re not opening your doors in one of Springfield’s struggling neighborhoods, opening a new business can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are local resources to help.

The Springfield chapter of SCORE is a group of volunteers to advise new entrepreneurs.

Between the eFactory, IDEA Commons and other programs, Missouri State University has many ways to assist folks with getting businesses off the ground. Likewise, Drury’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship provides another training ground.

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Chad Dunivent trims up Lance Knight's beard as he gets a haircut at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Chad Dunivent trims up Lance Knight's beard as he gets a haircut at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Chad Dunivent trims up Scott Roussel's beard as he gets a haircut at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Chad Dunivent trims up Scott Roussel's beard as he gets a haircut at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Lance Knight checks out his new haircut in a mirror as barber Chad Dunivent puts the finishes touches on it at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield. Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Chad Dunivent gives a haircut to Scott Roussel at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield.
Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Chad Dunivent puts the finishing touches on Scott Roussel's haircut and beard trim at the Broadway Barber Co. on North Broadway Avenue on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Dunivent opened the barber shop on Feb. 1 in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, where he also lives, despite being told not to move to north Springfield. Nathan Papes/News-Leader